Easter - Pascha
The earliest recorded use of the word "Easter" in English dates from the 8th century.
Key words
- Anachronism:a person, thing, or idea that exists out of its time in history, especially one that happened or existed later than the period being shown, discussed, etc.
The film was full of anachronisms. Jamaicans didn't arrive in Britain until centuries later.
- Commemorate: to remember officially and give respect to a great person or event, especially by a public ceremony or by making a statue or special building
We are here to commemorate those who lost their lives in the war.
- Determine: to control or influence directly; to decide
We should be allowed to determine our own future.
- Inevitably: in a way that cannot be avoided
Their arguments inevitably end in tears.
- Address: to give attention to or deal with a matter or problem
The issue of funding has yet to be addressed.
- Equinox: either of the two occasions in the year when the centre of the sun is directly above the Equator, and day and night are approximately equal in length
They celebrate the autumn equinox.
Read the article to find the answers
- What is celebrated on Easter Sunday?
- What was the Anglo-Saxon name for April?
- Who decided when Easter should be celebrated in England?
- How is the date of Easter determined?
Easter
The Gospels tell us that Jesus was crucified during the Jewish festival of the Passover. Christians commemorate his death on what is now called Good Friday and then celebrate his resurrection three days later on what is known as Easter Sunday. It is considered by many to be the most important date in the Christian calendar.
In England, April was once called Ēastermōnað, or Easter month. The Anglo-Saxon celebration of Easter was originally a celebration of the Germanic goddess of spring, Eostre.
A Problematic KJV Translation
At the Council of Nicaea, Emperor Constantine ensured that the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus did not coincide with the Jewish festival of Pascha, reflecting a desire to distance Christianity from Jewish traditions.
Easter is used anachronistically in the KJV and by most contemporary academics and christian commentators. In Emperor Constantine's letter to all churches concerning the date of Pascha from 325 AD, they translate pascha (πάσχα) as Easter, even though Constantine did not use the word Easter.
The name Easter was not used until centuries later. The earliest recorded use of the word Easter in English dates from the 8th century. However, it wasn't until the 12th century that it became widely used to refer to the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.